Blue Jay No Way

[Uncle Rico]

We win da foo kin' game, aina!?!

[PGsHeroes32]

And Xavier.  Rare 3 game week.

This plays off your post right above about being thankful for every game we play.


We probably don't play this one with X on pause right now.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Great win - props to Wojo and the guys. What a comeback on the road. Just scratch my head at why we can't put this kind of effort together across a whole season. So many flashes of what we *could* be.

Because there aren't a lot of nights when MU is going to shoot 57% on 3's. It was the difference between the UCLA game and the Creighton game. That's easily the single biggest factor.

While there is certainly luck and randomness involved in shooting percentages from night to night, UCLA's defensive intensity and ability was a big part of the equation.

[Milkshakes]

Rebounds. Marquette 42.  Blue Jays 27.  Nice. 

[CTWarrior]

It's nice to have a real PG again.

Sure is.  It is a lot easier to score late in the game when everybody in the building doesn't know exactly what is coming.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Sure is.  It is a lot easier to score late in the game when everybody in the building doesn't know exactly what is coming.

And the opposing defense runs three players at that one person and the ball still never comes out of his hand.

[Hards Alumni]

Because there aren't a lot of nights when MU is going to shoot 57% on 3's. It was the difference between the UCLA game and the Creighton game. That's easily the single biggest factor.

While there is certainly luck and randomness involved in shooting percentages from night to night, UCLA's defensive intensity and ability was a big part of the equation.

That, and Creighton missed a lot of FTs.

Guess they matta.

[CTWarrior]

That, and Creighton missed a lot of FTs.

Guess they matta.

Yup, everybody has hit on them, but we won because we shot as well as we're ever going to, we whipped them on the boards, and they missed too many FTs.

[StillWarriors]

Carton is the single most important factor in success for this team. His ability to not only handle pressure on the ball, but to beat it and score or set up a teammate is outstanding. After seeing a Paint Touches or Cracked Sidewalks stat before the game that 3 of Koby's 4 TOs v. UCLA were in the 6 minutes Carton was out, I watched closely when DJ went out in the first half. Creighton attacked Koby and applied far more pressure on the ball than it had to that point. Koby managed it ok, but was clearly not real comfortable as the primary ballhandler. With DJ around, Koby excels in that secondary spot where he can be on the offensive rather than having the D attack him trying to bring the ball up and initiate offense. As an aside, Koby is so clutch from the line at the end of games. He doesn't seem to hit rim very often.

Creighton extended its D and started to try to get aggressive and throw two out high at DJ when we had the lead in the second half, but he managed to dribble out of it and either hit a runner, drop a pass to Theo for a dunk or kick it out several times. What a huge difference. His quickness is next level and such a great weapon to have. Hopefully Symir's toe gets better so he can provide spot minutes at the point when need be and that he gets his confidence back. I would love to know what the conversation or thinking was to have DJ come off the bench the first few games. Maybe avoid ruffling feathers. I'm not critical of it, but I think it is becoming clear that he is the best we have and the head of the snake. Fun player to watch.

That front court of Theo, Garcia and Lewis is also fun to watch. The play where Justin kept a missed Carton layup alive and Dawson finished with a putback was exciting to see from two frosh. Love to see them asserting themselves in big moments.

[ducs]

I imagine fans of opposing teams would've said similar things about Markus if they played us when he had one of his real stinkers.

Is Zegarowski the most overrated player in Big East history?  No, but he sucked major ass tonight and his poor shooting was a big reason Creighton lost.  It's hard to win when your best player couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat.

Reminds me of our bad beats last year.

[StillAWarrior]

Surprised not more talk about the freshman bigs. Combined 25pts and 20rebs. I know CU is small - but I LOVE seeing that from our freshman front court.

Love those two. JFL is outstanding and seems to really understand the game and see the floor. He's probably my favorite player on the team. Garcia is also good, and is going to be really, really good. Somebody is going to put 20 pounds on Garcia (either Marquette or an NBA team -- I hope it's Marquette) and he's going to be an absolute beast.

[The Sultan]

Yup, everybody has hit on them, but we won because we shot as well as we're ever going to, we whipped them on the boards, and they missed too many FTs.

We won three of the four factors: EFG, OR% (big) and FTR
They won turnover%

We did a great job slowing them down.  It was the slowest paced game Creighton has played all year. 

[shoothoops]

Guard play. When MU has struggled, it hasn't gotten good enough guard play.

Sure MU used its size and length on the boards and inside, but getting better and more contribution from the guards was a difference maker.

Defending, limiting turnovers, and adding a offense from someone not named Carton or McEwen at the guard position.

Lewis, Garcia, are going to get better and better. But MU will need Elliott, Cain, different nights to make signficant contributions.

[Daniel]

Wojo needs to also get credit for adapting his offense.    No more 4 out.    Now running 3 out with high-low action.    Adjusting to that could have also contributed to some poor decision making early on.

Bingo!  Props to Wojo... and this is why Theo and Dawson were a greater inside threat and why the inside game is so important.  Theo at 6'10" and Dawson at 6'11";should be sniffing the rim instead of the three point line. 

This was an outstanding team effort, terrific defense, a slid second half where we have faltered in the past seasons, and some stand-out performances,  a great team and Coaches win.  Subbing was nearly flawless.   

The refs were right most of the time tho I was still cursing them out.  Have too.  But they were zeroed in in Greg. Great to see Greg hit those threes and be aggressive on D.  Carton - wow!  Garcia under and around the rim will get better and better. Lewis - have to just love that kid!  High motor!  Koby off the ball is fantastic. Theo a force.  Jamal I like in the game. Great energy. 

Keep playing like this and we could be good.   Very good.   Reduce turnovers to under 10 and we can win some games easily.  Go Marquette!

[Lighthouse 84]

Great to see five guys in double figures.  If someone would have told me Theo would only play 20 minutes and we'd still outrebound CU by 15, I'd have said he was on glue. 

Great win.  Go Warriors!

[brewcity77]

Carton is the single most important factor in success for this team. His ability to not only handle pressure on the ball, but to beat it and score or set up a teammate is outstanding. After seeing a Paint Touches or Cracked Sidewalks stat before the game that 3 of Koby's 4 TOs v. UCLA were in the 6 minutes Carton was out, I watched closely when DJ went out in the first half. Creighton attacked Koby and applied far more pressure on the ball than it had to that point. Koby managed it ok, but was clearly not real comfortable as the primary ballhandler. With DJ around, Koby excels in that secondary spot where he can be on the offensive rather than having the D attack him trying to bring the ball up and initiate offense. As an aside, Koby is so clutch from the line at the end of games. He doesn't seem to hit rim very often.

Creighton extended its D and started to try to get aggressive and throw two out high at DJ when we had the lead in the second half, but he managed to dribble out of it and either hit a runner, drop a pass to Theo for a dunk or kick it out several times. What a huge difference. His quickness is next level and such a great weapon to have. Hopefully Symir's toe gets better so he can provide spot minutes at the point when need be and that he gets his confidence back. I would love to know what the conversation or thinking was to have DJ come off the bench the first few games. Maybe avoid ruffling feathers. I'm not critical of it, but I think it is becoming clear that he is the best we have and the head of the snake. Fun player to watch.

That front court of Theo, Garcia and Lewis is also fun to watch. The play where Justin kept a missed Carton layup alive and Dawson finished with a putback was exciting to see from two frosh. Love to see them asserting themselves in big moments.

This is quality all around. Good post.

[The Big East]

Love those two. JFL is outstanding and seems to really understand the game and see the floor. He's probably my favorite player on the team. Garcia is also good, and is going to be really, really good. Somebody is going to 20 pounds on Garcia (either Marquette or an NBA team -- I hope it's Marquette) and he's going to be an absolute beast.

JFL brings energy, skills, has great IQ and a tremendous physical presence. He is a kid we can really build around.

[We R Final Four]

What really gets me excited for the remainder of the season is this team is in a great spot for Dawson to improve.
MU can win games without looking to its burger boy to win it for us. With scoring help from JL, DJ, KM and others, Dawson has a little bit of a luxury in his development process. I think Dawson will be able to finish much better around the rim later in the year. Looking forward to it.

[MU82]

Just scratch my head at why we can't put this kind of effort together across a whole season.

I'm guessing lots of Creighton fans are saying the same thing today. How can the supposed BE POY, a 42% career 3-point shooter, go 0-7, including misses on some wide-open looks? Why can't Ballock be that aggressive all the time? How could they let a lightly regarded bench player swing the momentum of the game in Marquette's favor?

And plenty of Madison fans were saying similar on Dec. 4.

They are 18-22-year-olds. Even when playing relatively well, they are far from perfect. That's even more the case this year, when there was little time together before the season. I'm not just talking about Marquette, I'm talking about everybody.

As for MU ... our 3 best players are a sophomore transfer who has not yet played the equivalent of a full season, a freshman who recently turned 19 and a freshman who won't be 19 until after the season. It's not an excuse, it's a fact. Additionally, we are asking much more out of two guys who for years have been on the fringe of the rotation, saddled with injuries or both.

Our coach, while not "horrible" or an "embarrassment" as some Scoopers (who are of course absent in the hours and days after an impressive win) like to claim, has not proven to be a consistently above-average game manager. He has good games and bad games, inconsistency that shouldn't be the case in Year 7.

Why can't we do what we did last night every game? Those are some of the answers. Other Scoopers offered a few more, including that it's unrealistic to expect Marquette or any team to consistently shoot 54% overall and 57% from 3, or to expect a good-shooting opponent to go 56% from the line. To beat a top-10 team on the road, you have to play extraordinarily well and maybe get a break or two. And then you have to take advantage of those breaks.

You used the phrase "this kind of effort" in your comment. I think you meant "this kind of performance" ... or at least I hope you did. Because I totally reject the opinions of a few Scoopers who suggested the team hadn't played hard or had quit in either of our losses. I saw absolutely no evidence of either of those indictments. One thing I have been very pleased with this season has been our effort, especially on the defensive end.

Because we play hard, because we have improved significantly on defense and because we have some pretty talented players, we will be in most if not all games. We will win lots of them, we will lose a few.

I'm realistic enough to know that we won't shoot 54% most games, but impressed enough with how the rest of our game is coming along to think we can win plenty of games when we don't shoot very well or when we have too many turnovers.

This team is fun to watch, and I've especially enjoyed the last 11 days.

More fun to come! We Are Marquette!

[The Sultan]

Great win - props to Wojo and the guys. What a comeback on the road. Just scratch my head at why we can't put this kind of effort together across a whole season. So many flashes of what we *could* be.

Creighton and Wisconsin aren't physical teams.  Marquette could use it's height as an advantage without getting pushed around.  UCLA and OSU are much more physical and knocked around MU at times.

Also UCLA and OSU did a good job containing DJ. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This plays off your post right above about being thankful for every game we play.


We probably don't play this one with X on pause right now.

Ah, didn't realize they were on pause.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Carton is the single most important factor in success for this team. His ability to not only handle pressure on the ball, but to beat it and score or set up a teammate is outstanding. After seeing a Paint Touches or Cracked Sidewalks stat before the game that 3 of Koby's 4 TOs v. UCLA were in the 6 minutes Carton was out, I watched closely when DJ went out in the first half. Creighton attacked Koby and applied far more pressure on the ball than it had to that point. Koby managed it ok, but was clearly not real comfortable as the primary ballhandler. With DJ around, Koby excels in that secondary spot where he can be on the offensive rather than having the D attack him trying to bring the ball up and initiate offense. As an aside, Koby is so clutch from the line at the end of games. He doesn't seem to hit rim very often.

SG Koby >>>>>>> PG Koby

[TSmith34, Inc.]

MU can win games without looking to its burger boy to win it for us. With scoring help from JL, DJ, KM and others, Dawson has a little bit of a luxury in his development process. I think Dawson will be able to finish much better around the rim later in the year. Looking forward to it.

Agree. It is nice to have two kids (Garcia and Carton) who were ranked in the 30's and look to be living up to those rankings, plus another (Lewis) who appears to be outplaying his ranking.

[StillWarriors]

Anyone else find watching games against Creighton more stressful than most? The way they move the ball and have so many guys who are well above average shooters makes it feel to me that there is constant high level stress on the defense. I'm not sure that style is suited for a long tournament run, but it is impressive to watch. As a player, it seems Creighton would be an exhausting team to play against. I was very impressed the way MU finished last night (fouls on 3 pters aside) with a short rotation. I thought fatigue may come into play at some point.

[Goose]

Not feeling 100% and slept for a good part of the game of the last night. The bits I did catch in the second half the boys looked pretty darn good. Nice win and wish I had stayed awake for the whole thing. Big fan of Carton and thought Garcia looked good as well.